Hats with changeable antenna toppers

ABSTRACT

A hat has a topper mount extending from a surface of the hat, where the topper mount can receive a topper, such as an antenna topper. In some embodiments, the invention relates to a hat having the topper mount and/or a topper. In some embodiments, the invention relates to a retrofit kit that may convert a conventional hat into a hat with a topper mount and topper. Once the mount is installed in the hat, the topper may be interchangeable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/595,640, filed Feb. 6, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hat accessories and, more particularly, to a hat with changeable antenna toppers affixed by a plastic dowel, for example.

Hats have been around for a long time and offer fans to express their fondness for a particular sports team, entertainment group (such as Disney, Warner Brothers, or the like), or character (such as Mickey Mouse or the like). Typically, a design is imprinted on the face of the hat, or, sometimes, across the entire surface of the hat. There are, however, no current ways to add a personal touch to a hat to further show one's support for the sports team, group, character or the like.

As can be seen, there is a need for improved hat design where an additional accessory can be added to show added support or individuality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a hat comprises a topper mount extending from a top portion of the hat; and a topper adapted to be disposed on the topper mount.

In another aspect of the present invention, a hat conversion kit for converting a hat into a changeable antenna mount hat comprises a topper mount operable to extend through a top portion of a hat; and a topper removable secured to an end of the topper mount.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hat with a changeable antenna topper, worn by a user, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the hat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the hat of FIG. 1 with a different changeable antenna topper applied thereto;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the hat of FIG. 1 with a different changeable antenna topper applied thereto;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the hat of FIG. 1 showing removal of the antenna topper;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a dowel base, neck and knob used to secure the antenna topper in the hat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the hat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the hat of FIG. 1 showing the antenna topper disposed on the dowel knob;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a changeable antenna topper directly mountable onto a hat button; and

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a changeable antenna topper mounted to a hat button via a dowel base, neck and knob.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a hat having a topper mount extending from a surface of the hat, where the topper mount can receive a topper, such as an antenna topper. In some embodiments, the invention relates to a hat having the topper mount and/or a topper. In some embodiments, the invention relates to a retrofit kit that may convert a conventional hat into a hat with a topper mount and topper. Once the mount is installed in the hat, the topper may be interchangeable.

Referring now to FIG. 1 through 8, a hat topper 24 may fit on a topper mount 14 that extends through a hole 22 in an outer surface of a hat 12. Typically the topper mount 14 may extend from a top, central region of the hat 12, however, other locations may be within the scope of the present invention.

The topper mount 14 may be made of various materials, such as plastic, metal, or the like. Typically, the topper mount 14 may be a plastic mount having a bulbous end 16, similar to an automotive antenna, attached to a topper neck 20 that extends from a topper base 18. The hat topper 24 may be similar to an antenna topper and may securely fit on the topper mount 14. Typically, the hat topper 24 may have a hole 26 centrally disposed from the bottom of the hat topper 24 to frictionally fit the topper mount 14 therein.

In some embodiments, the topper mount 14 may be designed into the hat 12 such that the topper mount 14 extends from the top of the hat and a wearer 10 may customize the topper mount 14 with various hat toppers 24. In some embodiments, the hat 12 may be adapted to use a topper mount 14. For example, a hole 22 may be formed in the top of the hat 12 with a flap (not shown) covering the hole 22 on the inside of the hat 12. The topper mount 14 may extend through the hole 22 from the inside of the hat 12. The base 18 of the topper mount 14 may be larger than the hole 22, to keep the topper mount 14 from sliding all the way through the hole 22. The flap may keep the topper mount 14 from falling off when the hat 12 is removed from the user's head. In this embodiment, the topper mount 14 may be removed when not in use without interfering with the function of the hat 12.

In some embodiments, the topper mount 14 may attach to a conventional hat 12 to permit the attachment of a topper 24 thereto. The topper mount 14 may attach to the conventional hat in various methods. For example, the topper mount 14 may include a piercing portion adapted to pierce the material of the hat 12 from the outside to the inside of the hat 12. A retaining member may fit on the piercing portion on the inside of the hat, securing the topper mount to the hat. This design may be similar to an earring and earring back, for example. In some embodiments, the topper mount 14 can be designed to fit onto a hat button 28 manufactured into a top portion of the hat 12. This design is exemplified in FIG. 10, for example.

In some embodiments, the topper mount 14 can be eliminated and the topper 24 may be designed to fit over the hat button 28 manufactured into the top portion of the hat 12. This design is exemplified in FIG. 9, for example.

While the drawing show exemplary hat designs, the hat toppers of the present invention may be incorporated into almost any type of hat.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hat comprising: a topper mount extending from a top portion of the hat; and a topper adapted to be disposed on the topper mount.
 2. The hat of claim 1, wherein the topper mount includes a topper base supporting a topper neck that extends through the top portion of the hat, and a topper knob adapted to fit into a hole in the topper.
 3. The hat of claim 1, wherein the topper mount is a hat button manufactured into the hat.
 4. The hat of claim 1, wherein the topper mount is integrated into the hat.
 5. The hat of claim 1, wherein the topper mount is removable from the hat.
 6. The hat of claim 5, wherein the topper mount extends through a hole in the top portion of the hat.
 7. A hat conversion kit for converting a hat into a changeable antenna mount hat, comprising: a topper mount operable to extend through a top portion of a hat; and a topper removable secured to an end of the topper mount.
 8. The hat of claim 7, wherein the topper mount includes a topper base supporting a topper neck that extends through the top portion of the hat, and a topper knob adapted to fit into a hole in the topper.
 9. The hat of claim 7, wherein the topper mount is removable from the hat.
 10. The hat of claim 9, wherein the topper mount extends through a hole in the top portion of the hat.
 10. A hat topper comprising: 